England’s faith in Paul Collingwood flies against all logic

England need to win this Test if they are to have any chance of taking the
series, but they appear to be employing reverse psychology to do it.

In: Paul Collingwood knows he must grab his chance at EdgbastonPhoto: Getty Images

Derek Pringle, Cricket Correspondent

9:08PM BST 29 Jul 2008

Out of the XI goes the promising bowling all-rounder, Stuart Broad, and in comes Paul Collingwood, a batsman who has scored just 92 first-class runs at 13 this season.

Out: Stuart Broad has been rested despite his batting heroics at No 8

With that kind of form it looks a cosy selection steeped in the nepotism of central contracts, especially when Ravi Bopara is in superlative touch and reeling off hundreds for Essex. But rather than figures, Michael Vaughan appears determined to place his faith in a familiar face, though not Steve Harmison’s, following the disruption to team morale caused by Collingwood’s omission at Headingley.

England have a happy knack of winning after suffering defeat but you cannot help but feel they are making life difficult for themselves this time. Dropping a bowler to play an extra batsman has its merits, especially when you have Ryan Sidebottom returning for the put-upon Darren Pattinson. Yet Collingwood’s inclusion is harder to justify, though he did once win an England tour spot on little more substance than being a good bloke.

He remains a scrapper though — a quality England desperately need if they are to remain in the series after going 1-0 down with two to play.

“Obviously Colly brings his batting, but he also brings energy, brilliant fielding and some useful bowling if it swings,” Vaughan said. “He’s just a good man to have around the team. He’s very mature, and a good thinker about the game. He knows he’s got to start scoring runs, as a few of us do, but it’s good to have him back in the ranks.”

It is the X-factor that England seem to be relying upon with Collingwood, that bit of je ne sais quoi as yet immeasurable by the analysts. What the mouse-pushers will know is that only one of Collingwood’s five Test hundreds has contributed to victory, as compared to eight of Andrew Strauss’ centuries and five of Kevin Pietersen’s.

He is not the only one under pressure to make a big score, with Vaughan also light on runs at present. The absence of his nemesis, Dale Steyn, with a broken thumb is an undoubted fillip, but having spent much of the last week practising at Loughborough with head coach Peter Moores, he also feels well-prepared.

“I don’t feel under any more pressure than I have for the past few years,” said Vaughan. “I’ve always had these blips and come through them, and I’m confident of doing so again.

“I always analyse my batting and I believe I’ve been dismissed by three decent balls this series. I have had a week off and a chance to hit a lot of balls, which I’ve done with Peter Moores at Loughborough. In the past that kind of work has produced a big score. Hopefully it’ll be the same here.”

One man who did score heavily at Edgbaston last time these teams met was South Africa’s captain, Graeme Smith, who made 277. A determined batsman and captain, Smith and his team will hope his hotel bed has not exacerbated the sore back that kept him from practising.

Steyn’s absence is a setback for the visitors. As South Africa’s leading wicket-taker this past year, he has been integral to them winning six of their last seven Test series. Andre Nel is a decent replacement who will run in all day, but he lacks Steyn’s swing or pace.

The pitch at Edgbaston normally produces a result in Tests, though the last four Championship matches have all been high-scoring draws. This one, while lacking pace, should help the spinners. Not with big turn, but just enough grip to keep them interested throughout the match.

Unlike the previous Test, when England did not finalise their XI until the morning of the match, Vaughan was keen to let players know their fate early, which in Broad and Harmison’s case was a return to county cricket.

Harmison was never going to play once Vaughan and Moores decided on a four-man bowling attack. In fact, it was difficult to see him in a quintet unless Sidebottom remained injured, which makes his inclusion in a 13-man squad here look like a way of sounding out his attitude prior to the next Test at the Oval, where the bouncy pitch should suit him.

Broad’s axing is largely due to Andrew Flintoff’s return and the dire need for England to play their four best bowlers, which on current form does not include him.

Vaughan also said he felt Broad was looking jaded and that it was a good time to withdraw him from the firing line. After nine days off and with Broad set to play for Nottinghamshire against Durham, the logic seems as batty as recalling a batsman with 92 first-class runs to his name.

Match Centre Pitch Watch Warwickshire head groundsman Steve Rouse had to contend with a tornado in 2005 and a fireworks display that wrecked his square in 2006, but his preparations for this pitch have been trouble free. He predicts a flat surface which might take spin later on to encourage left-armers Monty Panesar and Paul Harris, who spent two seasons at Warwickshire.

Weather Watch Wednesday: Warm (up to 26C) and dry, with sunny intervals and light cloud cover. Thursday: Cooler (18-21C) with the risk of showers throughout the day. Friday: Showers in the morning will give way to dryer weather with sunny intervals.

Stat Spot30 The lowest Test total at Edgbaston, scored by South Africa in 1924.285 The highest individual Test score at Edgbaston, made by Peter May against West Indies in 1957. Graeme Smith scored 277 on his last visit to the ground five years ago.